PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT SHOW VISIT

Exhibitors often have to reverse roles and find themselves on the other side of the aisle, playing exhibition visitor. As with exhibiting, planning and preparation are essential to maximising time on the trade show floor. The following 10 points will simplify the process next time you find yourself playing visitor (plus understanding the visitors needs, will help you be a more successful exhibitor):

1. know what you want to achieve by visiting the show

2. develop a plan of which exhibitors to visit and then organise the list into two parts (a) must see and (b) want to see companies

3. decide on how much time you want to spend at the show and then at each stand. Allow extra time for browsing, distractions and waiting in line

4. know what information you need to have from each exhibitor. Request literature and samples be mailed, instead of having to carry them with you.

5. Make appointments with exhibitors you really want to meet. Get a floor plan of the exhibition and prioritise your route

6. take plenty of business cards to avoid filling out forms

7. pre-register for the exhibition and arrive 15 minutes before show opening, to avoid standing in long lines

8. look for networking opportunities. Network with Industry leaders. Get invited to exhibitors hospitality suites/receptions. At workshops, introduce yourself and handout/collect business cards.

9. skip overly crowded stands and plan to come first thing in the morning or at end of day when traffic is slower

10. be prepared to follow-up after the show for literature and samples requested.

Edited article by Susan Friedmann, The Tradeshow Coach

 

 

Show managers cracking down on fakes

Show managers at a number of international events around the world are cracking down on product knock-offs and patent infringements. In large part, the efforts are being encouraged by local police who are beginning to see international shows as a perfect venue to make examples of offenders in problem industries. Sting operations for exhibitors with fraudulent goods are also a way for show managers to stay in the good graces of exhibitors with authentic merchandise.  An example of such an operation took place last month in the U.K. when pottery manufacturers joined forces at an industry trade show to root out catalog companies and distributors with knock-offs of their British-made pottery. The group also demanded stricter controls at unveilings to at least hamper those interested in creating knock-offs from obtaining product information that would tell them what the next line of products would look like.  Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, President of the Falaknaz Group, is taking on the counterfeiters at his upcoming Automotive Aftermarket Middle East  show, to be held March 28-30 at the Dubai International Exhibition Center. He has publicized a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit goods on the show floor.  “As an integral part of the Middle East automotive aftermarket sector we have a duty to support, in the strongest possible way, industry efforts to eradicate this unscrupulous trade,” Falaknaz told AME Info, a United Arab Emirates business publication. He estimates the industry loses $100 million to counterfeiters just in the Middle East alone.  Trade experts and show managers around the world say the problem has increased in recent years because of the expansion of free trade with countries such as China +It makes it easier for knockoffs to be shipped and passed off to consumers as genuine items. Article from EXPOweb   More really useful help and advice is offered in our workshops and exhibitor coaching sessions